Fighting For You: a FanFiction (for my friend)

Five: Charming

I sat in the back of her van, staring at the floor and she stood before me. We both were weaponless after throwing them away just to talk. We didn't trust each other: all those years of friendship seemed to slip through the cracks.

"So you're with the Hounds now." I lifted my eyes at her. She tucked her hair behind her ears.

"Yeah."

"And for future reference, how does one exactly become involved with one of the most dangerous purge gangs of the city? Just wondering."

She gave a small chuckle. "You're funny, but um... I don't know. After high school, you get wrapped up in the wrong crowd and next thing you know your one of the best hitmen, or hitwomen, on the team."

"If you're one of the best then yikes." I chuckled. "I kinda got you good."

"Oh, shut up, I was going easy on you."

"Easy on me? Why?"

Her eyes darted around as she looked for words. "I don't know. I guess I kind of knew deep down that this wasn't right. I mean I've never had a target that I actually knew. Kinda threw me off."

"So how do I know you're not going to try to kill me tonight anyway." I looked into her eyes. She shrugged.

"You don't. But I'm telling you- I'm done with the Hounds." She stares at the floor. "I've seen so much. I've hurt so many people. It gets to you."

Ping. She checked her phone. 

"Theo."

"Who's Theo?"

She nervously ruffled her hair and grabbed her laptop from the front.

"My boss. The boss." She looked up at me. "The leader of the Hounds."

"What does he want- does he know you-"

"He knows nothing. Just move so he doesn't see you, he's trying to video call me."

She set up her laptop to show only herself, leaving me to stand in front of her. She began the call.

"Zara! My favorite Hound. How's the Purge going for you?" His voice seemed as if it had heart. Warm. Charming. I could listen to his voice all day.

"Going fine. Thanks."

"So, did you get the girl... what's her name?"

"Piper. Piper Grass, and uh-" She looked at me. "No."

"No? What do you mean no?"

"She... she got away."

"Are you saying you don't know where she is?" A hint of anger weaved it's way through his words as if he was gritting through his teeth.

"No, of course not. I've, uh, I've got her location pinpointed. It's only a matter of time, Theo."

"Ah, perfect perfect. You always have everything on lock, and I always know to trust you. That last guy was shit- but you? Well, you're Zara Moon. You always have your shit together. Anyway,  will you do my a favor, Zara?"

"Yes?"

"When you find her, tell her we have him." We shared a look. 

"Who?"

"What's your name again?"

A weak, trembling voice responded. "Ethan."

"Yes. Tell her we have her buddy, Ethan."

Suddenly screams, bloodcurdling screams rang throughout the echoey chambers of wherever he way, reverberating into the van as if he was right there in front of me.

***

I found myself outside the van, running, then walking, no destination. I just had to go. I didn't know where. 

Zara was running after me, calling my name. I didn't listen, I just kept moving. It wasn't until she grabbed my shoulders and spun me around that I stopped.

"What are you doing?! Where are you going?!" She whisper-shouted. I could tell she was pissed. "You can't just run around outside on Purge Night, especially when we just fucking threw our guns away, have you lost your mind?!"

"I don't know, I don't know- I just." I fell to the ground, squatting, fingers running through my hair. "What am I going to do."

"We." She squatted down next to me. "Piper we're in this together. Come on." She helped me up.

I closed and took a deep breath. "Is he going to be okay?"

"To be honest... not unless we do something."

Fuck.

"So we need to do something. How? We're just two girls with just a dingy van and no weapons."

"Hey, my van is not dingy. And calm down, it's not like there are no weapons left in the city."

I couldn't even comprehend what she just said, it baffled me. Everyone knows to stock up early, as all weapons, from guns to butter knives, sell out the weeks before Purge Night. 

She smirked. "I know a guy."